Farm fires cost south west farmers £18.2m in 2025

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 2 Nov, 08:21 · Archive

Farm fires cost south west farmers an estimated £18.2 million in 2025, the second-highest losses in the UK.

Farm fires cost farmers across the south west an estimated £18.2 million in 2025, according to figures published by NFU Mutual. This made the region the second-highest in the UK for financial losses from farm fires, though costs fell by 20 per cent from an estimated £22.8 million in 2024. Several major incidents occurred in Dorset over the past year, including a July blaze involving around 1,000 tonnes of hay at a barn near Briantspuddle, and a fire near Fleet where a baler caught fire.

A fire near Cheselbourne spread across approximately 27 hectares of spring barley, caused by farm machinery, whilst another at Kingston Russell near Bridport destroyed around 30 acres of crops, believed caused by overheating farm machinery. Around 2,000 hay bales were destroyed in a major fire at East Lulworth, which prompted a police investigation.

Nationally, fire losses involving crops, buildings and equipment rose by 18 per cent to £118 million in 2025, with a further £32 million linked to agricultural vehicle fires. Record temperatures and prolonged dry weather increased fire risk. Tractors accounted for more than half of all agricultural vehicle fire costs, whilst combine harvester fires alone caused an estimated £4.8 million of losses. The main causes of fires involving crops, buildings and equipment were arson, lightning strikes and electrical faults.

How it is being reported

• Fires cost south west farmers £18.2m as Dorset crews tackle major blazesFarm fires cost farmers across the south west an estimated £18.2 million in 2025, according to new figuresBournemouth Echo · 2 Nov, 07:57
• Fires cost south west farmers £18.2m as Dorset crews tackle major blazesFarm fires cost farmers across the south west an estimated £18.2 million in 2025, according to new figuresDorset Echo · 1 Nov, 05:30

In this story: Dorset · NFU Mutual · Briantspuddle · Cheselbourne · Kingston Russell · East Lulworth

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